School Counselor, 11 months

THE CCPS SCHOOL COUNSELOR MISSION

The CCPS Counselors' mission is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses the academic, career, and social / emotional needs of each and every student. CCPS counselors are professional school advocates who promote academic achievement, equity, and access for all students. In partnership with other educators, parents / guardians, and the community, school counselors work to prevent and remove barriers to student learning. Their goal is to ensure that all CCPS students feel challenged and supported to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally to become productive and responsible members of society.

EXPECTATIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES including but not limited to the following :

Professional Knowledge

• Provides individual counseling, small group counseling, and classroom instruction ensuring access to resources that promote : academic achievement; social and emotional development; career exploration and readiness; the identification of appropriate post-secondary education opportunities.
• Applies appropriate theories and techniques in their classroom instruction, and in individual and small group counseling.
• Demonstrates knowledge of child and adolescent brain development in selecting instructional materials, implementing counseling strategies, and creating interventions and programs to support students.
• Knowledge in identifying specific needs of students and developing and implementing effective attendance, academic, or behavior interventions to meet their needs.
• Ability to develop and implement effective tier two interventions to include modified functional behavior assessments, behavior education plans, data collection, progress monitoring, data analysis, and provide meaningful feedback to students, teachers, and parents.
• Understands the continuum of mental health services including prevention and intervention strategies to enhance student success in the school setting.
• Understands and participates in the threat assessment team process conducting effective risk assessments for self-harm or threats to others, and develops effective safety plans when necessary.
• Understands and applies general principles of working with various student populations based on race, ethnic background, English language proficiency, health impairments and disabilities, religious affiliation, gender, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.
• Knowledge of school crisis planning, crisis response, mitigation and recovery, understanding their role in providing support and responsive services to various crisis situations.
• Knowledge of effective multi-tiered attendance, academic, and behavior support systems for individuals, groups, and the whole student body.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures for identifying and serving special populations of students to include : students with disabilities under an Individual Education Plan or a section 504 plan; English as a second language; migratory or homeless youth; abused or neglected children; those negatively affected by traumatic life experiences; those exhibiting possible mental health disorders.
• Demonstrates an expert understanding of the Program of Studies and graduation requirements for each type of diploma and seal recognized by the Virginia Board of Education. (Middle and High School Counselors)

Instructional and Counseling Planning

Instructional and Counseling Delivery

Assessment of Student Learning and Social and Emotional Competencies

Learning Environment and School Climate

Professionalism

Student Attendance, Academic, and Behavior Progress

GUIDELINES USED

CONDITIONS OF WORK

The school counselor is responsible for highly diverse and complex duties. The counselor is responsible for a caseload of students with diverse backgrounds in socio-economic status, religious beliefs, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The school counselor must be flexible and have high tolerance for change and the ability to work with frequent interruptions. They must have the ability to work in a high stress environment and handle crises in a calm manner. Strong interpersonal skills are required in working with diverse groups of students, parents, and staff. The school counselor must have a high initiative and assume responsibility working productively with a minimum of supervision.

QUALIFICATIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / REQUIREMENTS

Frequent walking, stooping, standing, lifting up to approximately 30 pounds, and occasional lifting of equipment and / or materials weighing up to approximately 40 pounds may be required. Other limited physical activities are required. Vocal communication is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. Timely and regular attendance is an expectation of performance for all CCPS employees. To ensure adequate staffing, positive employee morale, and to meet expected productivity standards throughout the organization, employees will be held accountable for adhering to their workplace schedule.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Performs duties under the supervision of building administration; receives instruction and support from central office designee / coordinator of counseling services. The supervisor will evaluate performance on the ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibilities.